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Comment by skykooler | Hacker News Reader

...Why is the BBC blocked in the UK, of all places?

In this instance because BBC worldwide is the for profit arm, they show adverts, something the BBC cannot do within the UK. The content is usually still available elsewhere on the BBC but I find it odd that it does not redirect.

My understanding (I don't live in the UK) is that the BBC is wholly or partially government funded. As such there are certain things the BBC cannot do within the UK, because it would unfairly compete with other UK media companies which don't have similar government funding.

(But I could be completely wrong, if so... please correct me :)

I'd be very interested to hear how they implement it, because it's fairly resistant to VPN trickery too.

Possibly leveraging the same technology they use for Blocking BBC iPlayer via VPN's.

People I know abroad say that works quite well.

The way it's generally considered to be: they are actually funded directly by a license fee which British people are legally required to pay if they watch any live TV (including live online streams such as iPlayer, but not including non-live VODs).

Technically... the BBC collects the license fees, gives all the money to the Government and then receives money back from the Government. But it's a complicated setup, separate to normal taxes/budgets.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Television_licensing_in_the_Un...

edit: Actually, I then read the wikipedia article that I linked, since last year you now do need a license to watch BBC iPlayer VODs.

"tv licence fee doesnt cover it"

like what the actual fuck...?

This is the for profit arm, basically resells BBC content internationally, with the website they show adverts, the BBC is not allowed to show adverts in the UK.

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